A scheme offering young people experience of ministry in the Church of England has more than tripled in size over the past three years, according to a report published today.
The Ministry Experience Scheme (MES), which offers year-long placements in churches across the country for young adults aged between 18 and 30 years old, is on course to have attracted 150 participants this year, compared to 47 in 2015. More than two-thirds of dioceses in the Church of England are now taking part in the scheme.
Young adults taking part are encouraged to explore their vocation – not just to ordained ministry – living and working in communities in both urban and rural areas.
The placements offer theological teaching and skills training while immersing the participants within a local parish setting, sometimes involving living with others in community houses. Each scheme is unique to its community, giving the participants the opportunity to support their local communities through missional, charitable, pastoral and community-based activities. Participants can be involved in a range of work from visiting those in need and the sick at home and in hospital to work helping with baptisms, marriages and funerals.
In Blackpool, participants are a key part of outreach work by the Church of England in deprived outer urban estates.
The scheme is supported by Allchurches Trust and to date has an equal number of women and men taking part. Nearly one in 10 participants last year were from black or ethnic minority backgrounds. The scheme is hoping to increase the proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates to 15 per cent over the next two years.
Research has shown that, to date, 46 per cent of those taking part in 2017 attended a Bishops' Advisory Panel (BAP), a residential selection conference for people in the final stages of the process of applying to train for the priesthood in the Church of England. A further 21 per cent, or one in five, went on to work or train for lay ministry.
The scheme is becoming a key component of the Church of England's drive to attract more young people and more women and people from ethnic minorities into both lay and ordained roles.
The bishop of Burnley, Philip North, chair of the MES steering committee, said: 'The scheme provides a wonderful formation and a chance to take time to reflect on the future course of their lives. In Blackpool, we hope that work on urban deprived estates will be a transformative moment for both those taking part and for the parishes and communities they serve.'
Lauren Simpson, 24, a Nottingham University graduate, from Hertfordshire, is taking part in scheme in Southwell and Nottingham Diocese, working with Bestwood Park Church based on a council estate in the north of Nottingham.
Her work has included helping run Messy Churches, a fortnightly youth group, a youth worship band and other projects including a weekly event bringing together people for a lunch in the church hall.
'I am just over half-way through my placement, and I am being stretched and challenged more than ever before,' she said.
'I have really been welcomed by the community, and I have had a chance to do a lot both inside and outside the church. This experience has given me an insight into the church in a way that otherwise would have not been possible.'
Rev Fiona Green, director of the Stepney intern scheme, told Christian Today the scheme was a way of pushing the boundaries of interns' experiences and helping them to clarify their vocations.
She spoke of the importance of community living, saying: 'One of them spoke of the encouragement to them from those around – it was an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and they felt their vocation was confirmed.'
She spoke of another intern who was committed to transforming work in the community. He had set up a study group for 15 to 18-year-olds offering free literacy tuition and careers advice and had helped set up a night shelter for homeless people. 'He was able to explore his own gifts and strengths,' she said.
'I'm passionate about this – I think a lot of people, when they're exploring their vocation, have an idea what it means, but it's in the practical outworking that they see whether God is really calling them to that.'
For more information on the Ministry Experience Scheme click here.
